Rolling mill apparatus



pt 5, 19 7 J. RICE ROLLING MILL APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 1, 1964 JAMES RICE Sept; 5, 1967 J. RICE ROLLING MILL APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed D60- 1, 1964 FIG. 3

INVENTOR.

JAMES RICE FIG. 4

ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,339,393 ROLLING MILL APPARATUS James Rice, Ballston Spa, N.Y., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Filed Dec. 1, 1964, Ser. No. 415,077 5 Claims. (Cl. 72-240) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A rolling mill in which the working rolls are urged together under a predetermined pressure to permit engagement and driving of the stock fed thereto. An adjustable set block is positioned adjacent a movable working roll and said movable working roll is yieldably separable from a fixed working roll whereby a predetermined working pressure is exerted upon the working piece by the working rolls.

This invention concerns a drive and deformation method and apparatus and, more particulaly, a rolling mill which performs both threading and rolling operations.

In a continuous rolling operation for reducing the thickness of stock having indeterminate length, it is necessary to thread the stock through one or more sets of rollers which are arranged to exert pressure for reducing the stock thickness or diameter.

As taught by the present state of the art concerning rolling mill apparatus, threading may be accomplished by either of two methods. The first method is to introduce the stock between the rollers after the rollers have been adjusted to exert the desired working pressure on the material passed therebetween. The second method is to temporarily relieve the pressure while threading the stock between the rollers.

The disadvantage of the first method lies in the difiiculty in initially advancing oversize stock between rollers which are adjusted to exert an unyielding pressure designed to deform the stock and, hence, the pressure tends to retard advancement of the stock. The disadvantage of the second method lies principally in the difiiculty of subsequently increasing the pressure on the stock after it has been threaded between the rollers insofar as the equipment used for moving one or both of the rollers toward the other is subjected to undesirable strain. Additionally, the above prior art methods are not readily applicable for threading a plurality of in-line rolling stands with continually moving stock.

The present invention enables easy threading of a rolling mill or other in-line equipment without excessive deformation of the threading material and without requiring subsequent adjustment of the pressure between the rollers.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a drive and deformation apparatus for easily threading and deforming an indeterminate length of stock.

Another object is to provide an apparatus for positively driving material of indeterminate length regardless of small fluctuations in material thickness attendant to the linear movement of the material.

Still another object is to provide a rolling mill apparatus which requires no subsequent adjustment of the rolling pressure after the stock has been introduced between the rollers.

In carrying out this invention in one form thereof, rolling mill apparatus is provided in which a movable roller is spring biased into rolling contact with a second roller. One or both of the rollers may have a peripheral recess. Where a recess is present in each roller, the recesses cooperate to define an aperture between the rollers when the rollers are in rolling contact. The yieldable force which urges the rollers into rolling contact insures driving contact between the rollers and stock passed therebetween regardless of the size of the stock. When the stock thickness is less than the thickness needed for working the metal, the spring action enables the threading portion of stock passed therebetween to be positively advanced but not deformed. A set block is adjustably positioned on the opposite side of the movable roller. When oversize stock is drawn between the rollers, the movable roller is forced away from the fixed roller only to a preselected distance which is determined by the set block position. The set block prevents further movement of the movable roller away from the fixed roller and enables the oversize stock to be rolled to a desired thickness or diameter. The device of the present invention is accordingly both a drive and deformation mechanism capable of producing a product having a reduced transverse dimension.

For better understanding of this invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an unadjusted rolling mill apparatus showing the rollers separated.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the rolling mill apparatus when adjusted for rolling rod material with the rod threading portion positioned between the rollers.

FIGURE 3 is a front view of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is front view of the rolling mill apparatus of FIGURE 3 after an oversize cast rod has been advanced between the rollers.

Referring to FIGURES 1 and 2, the components of the rolling mill apparatus are illustrated and include a fixed roller mount 1 in which a fixed roller 2 is mounted for rotation by a power unit P A movable roller mount 3 is suspended above the fixed roller mount 1 by a plurality of roller mount springs 5. A roller 4 is positioned in movable mount 3 and mounted for rotation about an axis parallel to the axis of the fixed roller 2 by a power unit P The roller mount springs 5 are in compression while supporting the movable roller mount 3 so as to maintain a gap G between the fixed roller 2 and the movable roller 4.

An adjustable set block 6 is positioned above the mov able roller mount 3 for limiting upward movement of the movable roller mount and movable roller, thereby, adjustably limiting the size of the roller gap G. The set block 6 is adjusted by a hand or motor driven screw mechanism 7 which is fixedly mounted on a superstructure (not shown). A plurality of set block springs 8 are disposed between the set block 6 and the movable roller mount 3. The spring constant of the set block springs 8 is higher than the spring constant of the roller mount springs 5. Hence, when the set block 6 is advanced downwardly, the roller mount springs 5 are the first of the two sets of springs to be compressed. Compression of the roller mount springs 5 continues until the roller gap G is eliminated and the movable roller 4 is moved into engagement with the fixed roller 2. Further downward movement of the set block 6 thereafter results in a compression of the set block springs 8. Due to the yieldable force of the set block springs 8, a cushion gap 9 is provided for the movable roller 4.

Each of the rollers 2 and 4 may have a peripheral recess R in the roller peripheral surface S. The recesses R cooperate to form a roller aperture A between the rollers 2 and 4 when rolling contact is established as indicated in FIGURE 3. The roller aperture A allows for easy insertion of a small diameter threading portion 10* of a rod or wire. When a cast rod is used, the rod core may be used as the threading portion. Introduction of the threading portion 10 between the rollers provides an upward force which cooperates with the force of the compressed roller mount springs 5 to urge the movable roller 4 slightly upwardly in opposition to the force of the partially compressed set block springs 8. Positive contact suflicient to ensure positive drive is maintained between the rollers 2 and 4 and the threading portion 10 by the force of the partially compressed set block springs 8, but the threading portion is not appreciably deformed. However, additional upward movement of the movable roller 4 is caused by the increasing rod diameter of the oversize rod portion 11. When the preselected cushion gap 9 between the set block 6 and the movable roller mount 3 is absorbed by the upwardly moving movable roller mount 3, abutment occurs between the set block 6 and the movable roller mount 3 and, hence, the roller gap G is limited to a preselected maximum distance. Oversize rod stock subsequently passed between the roller is deformed between the rollers as indicated in FIGURE 4. In the event that the rod diameter decreases below the minimum working thickness, positive drive is still enjoyed.

The method of operating the roller mill begins with the step of actuating the hand or motor driven screw mechanism 7 to advance the set block 6 downwardly to compress the roller mount springs and to engage the movable roller 4 with the fixed roller 2. For a set of rolls having a recess such as R, the set block 6 is advanced downwardly until the cushion gap 9 is equal to a value which is determined by the depth of the recess R and the desired rolled diameter of the rod. The distance of the cushion gap 9 is set equal to the size of the desired rolled diameter minus twice the depth of the roller recess R.

After the set block 6 has been moved downwardly by the motor mechanism 7 to establish the desired cushion gap 9, the power units P and P are actuated and the rollers are set into rotation. The threading portion 10' is then inserted into the roller aperture A, thus urging the movable roller 4 upwardly against the bias of the partially compressed set block springs 8. The threading portion 10 is thereby positively engaged and advanced between the rollers, but is not deformed due to the yield- 'ing capacity of the set block springs 8. When the rod diameter increases toward the cast portion 11, upward movement of the movable roller 4 continues against the force of the collapsing set block springs 8 until the movable roller mount 3 abuts the set block 6. The roller gap G is then fixed and the oversize rod portion 11 is rolled to the desired diameter.

By employing the above-disclosed rolling mill apparatus in the method as described, stock of indeterminate length may be threaded and rolled between a pair of rollers in a manner which does not deform the threaded portion of the stock and which does not require subsequent adjustment of the roller gap after the stock has been threaded therethrough. Additionally, positive drive is maintained regardless of variations in the stock thickness attendant to the linear speed thereof.

While a specific embodiment of this invention has been shown and described, it is not intended that the invention be limited to the particular construction shown and described, and it is intended by the appended claims to cover all modifications in the spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Rolling mill apparatus comprising:

(a) a first roller drivably mounted for rotation in a fixed roller mount, and a second roller drivably mounted for rotation in a movable roller mount, said fixed roller mount being positioned adjacent one side of said movable roller mount so that the peripheral surfaces of said first and second rollers define a roller gap therebetween,

(b) an adjustable set block positioned adjacent the opposite side of said movable roller mount for limiting movement of said second roller away from said first roller,

(c) first spring means positioned between said fixed and movable roller mounts for urging said movable roller mount toward said set block and for increasing said roller gap, and

((1) second spring means between said movable roller mount and said set block, said second spring means normally urging said movable roller mount towards said fixed roller mount against the force of said first spring means to decrease said roller gap and to maintain positive contact between said rollers and stock introduced into said roller gap for deforming oversize stock drawn between said rollers.

2. Rolling mill apparatus comprising:

(a) a first roller drivably mounted in a fixed roller mount with a portion of the peripheral surface of said first roller projecting upwardly from said fixed roller mount,

(b) a second roller drivably mounted in a movable roller mount, said movable roller mount being positioned above said fixed roller mount with a portion of the peripheral surface of said second roller projecting downwardly from the movable roller mount toward said upwardly projecting peripheral portion of said first roller,

(0) first spring means between said fixed roller mount and said movable roller mount for suspending said movable roller mount above said fixed roller mount,

(d) an adjustable set block positioned above said movable roller mount for limiting the upward movement of said movable roller mount, said set block being movable downwardly against the force of said first spring means for moving said second roller toward said first roller, and

(e) second spring means disposed between the upper surfaces of said movable roller mount and said set block, said second spring means exerting a downward force on said movable roller mount to urge said second roller into contact with said first roller for deforming oversize stock drawn between said rollers.

3. Rolling mill apparatus comprising:

(a) first and second rollers drivably mounted for rotation in opposite directions about parallel axes, said first and second rollers having peripheral surfaces normally defining a roller gap therebetween,

(b) spring means for urging said peripheral surface of said second roller into abutment with said peripheral surface of said first roller to maintain positive contact between said rollers,

(c) a continuous peripheral recess in each of said first and second rollers, said recess in said first roller being positioned adjacent said recess in said second roller to form adjacent engaging surfaces for engaging and moving a threading portion of a rod as said rod is introduced between said rollers, and

(d) an adjustable limit means for limiting movement of said second roller away from said first roller when an enlarged cast portion of said rod is drawn between said rollers and forces said second roller away from said first roller against the force of said spring means, said adjustable limit means enabling said movable roller to be adjusted for selectively reducing the diameter of said cast portion of said rod.

4. Rolling mill apparatus comprising:

(a) a first roller drivably mounted for rotation in a fixed roller mount, and a second roller drivably mounted for rotation in a movable roller mount, said fixed roller mount being positioned adjacent one side of said movable roller mount so that the peripheral surfaces of said first and second rollers define a roller gap therebetween,

(b) an adjustable set block positioned adjacent the opposite side of said movable roller mount for limiting movement of said second roller away from said first roller,

(0) first spring means positioned between said fixed and movable roller mounts for urging said movable roller mount toward said set block and for increasing said roller gap,

(d) second spring means between said movable roller mount and said set block, said second spring means normally urging said movable roller mount towards said fixed roller mount against the force of said first spring means to decrease said roller gap and to maintain positive contact between said rollers and material introduced into said roller gap, and

(e) a continuous peripheral recess in each of said first and second rollers, said recesses forming adjacent engaging surfaces between said rollers for engaging and moving a small diameter threading portion of a rod as said rod is introduced between said rollers when said peripheral surfaces are in contact, and said adjacent surfaces operating to deform an enlarged cast portion of said rod when said cast portion is drawn between said rollers and forces said second roller away from said first roller against the force of said second yiel-dable means to abut said movable roller block with said set block, there-by limiting said roller gap to the desired rolled diameter of said cast portion.

5. Rolling mill apparatus comprising:

(a) a first roller drivably mounted in a fixed roller mount with a portion of the peripheral surface of said first roller projecting upwardly from said fixed roller mount,

(b) a second roller drivably mounted in a movable roller mount, said movable roller mount being positioned above said fixed roller mount with a portion of the peripheral surface of said second roller projecting downwardly from the movable roller mount toward said upwardly projecting peripheral portion of said first roller,

(c) first spring means between said fixed roller mount and said movable roller mount for suspending said movable roller mount above said fixed roller mount,

((1) an adjustable set block positioned above said movable roller mount for limiting the upward movement of said movable roller mount, said set block being movable downwardly against the force of said first spring means for moving said second roller toward said first roller,

(e) second spring means disposed between the upper surfaces of said movable roller mount and said set block, said second spring means exerting a downward force on said movable roller mount to urge said second roller into contact with said first roller, and

(f) a peripheral recess in the peripheral surface of each of said first and said second rollers, sai-d recesses forming adjacent surfaces when the peripheral surfaces of said rollers are in contact for engaging and moving a threading portion of a rod when introduced between said first and said second rollers, and said surfaces of said recesses operating to deform an enlarged cast portion of said rod when said enlarged cast portion is drawn between said rollers and forces said first roller and said movable roller mount upwardly into abutment with said set block.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS FRANCIS S. HUSAR, Primary Examiner. 

1. ROLLING MILL APPARATUS COMPRISING: (A) A FIRST ROLLER DRIVABLY MOUNTED FOR ROTATION IN A FIXED ROLLER MOUNT, AND A SECOND ROLLER DRIVABLY MOUNTED FOR ROTATION IN A MOVABLE ROLLER MOUNT, SAID FIXED ROLLER MOUNT BEING POSITIONED ADJACENT ONE SIDE OF SAID MOVABLE ROLLER MOUNT SO THAT THE PERIPHERAL SURFACES OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND ROLLERS DEFINE A ROLLER GAP THEREBETWEEN, (B) AN ADJUSTABLE SET BLOCK POSITIONED ADJACENT THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF SAID MOVABLE ROLLER MOUNT FOR LIMITING MOVEMENT OF SAID SECOND ROLLER AWAY FROM SAID FIRST ROLLER, (C) FIRST SPRING MEANS POSITIONED BETWEEN SAID FIXED AND MOVABLE ROLLER MOUNTS FOR URGING SAID MOVABLE ROLLER MOUNT TOWARD SAID SET BLOCK AND FOR INCREASING SAID ROLLER GAP, AND (D) SECOND SPRING MEANS BETWEEN SAID MOVABLE ROLLER MOUNT AND SAID SET BLOCK, SAID SECOND SPRING MEANS 